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Editorial - Air permit in hand, Titan has far to go to win over the community

Published: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.

Titan Cement passed on an opportunity to ingratiate itself to at least some members of a community bitterly divided over the company's plans to build a high-production plant at Castle Hayne. The company could have agreed to stick to limits that came with its original air quality permit, which followed what was then the federal emissions standards. Instead, after the company and other cement companies had a hand in pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to relax pollution control limits, the company sought looser limits for the Castle Hayne plant.

And last week, the N.C. Division of Air Quality determined there was no legally valid reason to deny an increase in the limits for particle emissions.

The revised air permit will allow Carolinas Cement Company to pour another 32 tons of particulate matter into the atmosphere. In extending and revising the air permit, division officials noted that New Hanover County currently meets all federal air quality standards, and that the plant would not cause the county to exceed that limit.

The permit was issued despite considerable opposition from residents who contend that higher particulate emissions, as well as other toxins that will be put into the air, could harm people and the environment. In issuing its tougher rules in 2010, the EPA estimated they would prevent 2,500 deaths a year, nationally.

The company says the revision was merely a formality so that the permit reflects the current federal air quality standards; critics are understandably skeptical. Titan could have stood by the old permit although in truth, few corporations would volunteer for more stringent restrictions than are required by law.

A gesture on Titan's part wouldn't change the minds of those who steadfastly oppose the plant, or of those who insist that any job is a good job and that anyone who objects should just be quiet. But a show of goodwill might help win over those who are squarely in the middle – those who see the need for good-paying jobs in a community where service and tourism jobs often don't pay a living wage, but who worry about the environmental and public health consequences of heavy manufacturing. With state government now heavily focused on deregulation – including legislation passed two years ago making it harder to make and enforce environmental regulations stricter than federal standards – state laws that have helped reduce pollution may be scuttled, or weakened.

Speaking of jobs, when it first proposed the plant Titan said it would create 160 jobs paying an average of $75,000 per year. Critics contend that workers filling most of the jobs would be brought in from other plants, leaving less than half as many jobs to be filled by local workers.

The actual number and pay range remain to be seen. Will Titan keep its promise, or keep trying to change the rules once it is here? Given its track record, which includes suing two people who dared to speak out in a public meeting, there's reason to wonder.

The plant is not yet a done deal – the Army Corps of Engineers is still waiting for an environmental review before issuing a permit allowing destruction of a few hundred acres of wetlands. That's a smaller hurdle, however, and the company could begin construction if it weren't for a lawsuit challenging the permit.

If it gets the final go-ahead, it will be up to Titan to show that it can be a good corporate citizen, as defined by this community. Many eyes will be watching.

<p>Titan Cement passed on an opportunity to ingratiate itself to at least some members of a community bitterly divided over the company's plans to build a high-production plant at Castle Hayne. The company could have agreed to stick to limits that came with its original air quality permit, which followed what was then the federal emissions standards. Instead, after the company and other cement companies had a hand in pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to relax pollution control limits, the company sought looser limits for the Castle Hayne plant.</p><p>And last week, the N.C. Division of Air Quality determined there was no legally valid reason to deny an increase in the limits for particle emissions.</p><p>The revised air permit will allow Carolinas Cement Company to pour another 32 tons of particulate matter into the atmosphere. In extending and revising the air permit, division officials noted that New Hanover County currently meets all federal air quality standards, and that the plant would not cause the county to exceed that limit.</p><p>The permit was issued despite considerable opposition from residents who contend that higher particulate emissions, as well as other toxins that will be put into the air, could harm people and the environment. In issuing its tougher rules in 2010, the EPA estimated they would prevent 2,500 deaths a year, nationally. </p><p>The company says the revision was merely a formality so that the permit reflects the current federal air quality standards; critics are understandably skeptical. Titan could have stood by the old permit although in truth, few corporations would volunteer for more stringent restrictions than are required by law.</p><p>A gesture on Titan's part wouldn't change the minds of those who steadfastly oppose the plant, or of those who insist that any job is a good job and that anyone who objects should just be quiet. But a show of goodwill might help win over those who are squarely in the middle – those who see the need for good-paying jobs in a community where service and tourism jobs often don't pay a living wage, but who worry about the environmental and public health consequences of heavy manufacturing. With state government now heavily focused on deregulation – including legislation passed two years ago making it harder to make and enforce environmental regulations stricter than federal standards – state laws that have helped reduce pollution may be scuttled, or weakened.</p><p>Speaking of jobs, when it first proposed the plant Titan said it would create 160 jobs paying an average of $75,000 per year. Critics contend that workers filling most of the jobs would be brought in from other plants, leaving less than half as many jobs to be filled by local workers. </p><p>The actual number and pay range remain to be seen. Will Titan keep its promise, or keep trying to change the rules once it is here? Given its track record, which includes suing two people who dared to speak out in a public meeting, there's reason to wonder.</p><p>The plant is not yet a done deal – the Army Corps of Engineers is still waiting for an environmental review before issuing a permit allowing destruction of a few hundred acres of wetlands. That's a smaller hurdle, however, and the company could begin construction if it weren't for a lawsuit challenging the permit.</p><p>If it gets the final go-ahead, it will be up to Titan to show that it can be a good corporate citizen, as defined by this community. Many eyes will be watching.</p>